Securing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a securing device for attachment to a display frame. Such securing device includes a support member having a first side and a second side. Such support member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A first securing mechanism is disposed at least one of on such first side of such support member and through such support member for releasably securing such support member to such display frame at a predetermined location. A second securing mechanism at least one of secured to and formed integrally with such second side of such support member for releasably securing such display frame to at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/957,909 filed Aug. 24, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to securing devices for display frames and, more particularly, this invention relates to a securing device for attachment to a display frame such that such display frame may be attached to corkboard, gypsum board, and fabric covered walls such as walls of a cubicle, office space, bulletin boards, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, display frames, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to display and protect pictures, certificates, diplomas, artwork, memorabilia, and the like. Various types of frames exist including those for freestanding display and those which include wire or a hook securing means for hanging over a nail in a wall. However, these types of display frames are not useful for corkboard, gypsum board, and fabric covered walls such as walls of a cubicle, office space, bulletin boards, and the like. Therefore, there exists a need for a device which can be attached to display frames or formed integrally with display frames such that such display frames can easily be attached to corkboard, gypsum board, and fabric covered walls such as walls of a cubicle, office space, bulletin boards, and the like.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Wallo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,161 discloses a hanging device and method for picture frames or like objects. The device includes a pair of spaced horizontally positionable prongs which are adapted to be secured in accurate horizontal alignment on a vertical supporting surface such as a wall. The prongs extend upwardly and outwardly from the wall and have upwardly extending points and may have downwardly and rearwardly extending cam surfaces for supporting the hanging objects. The object as hung is meant to be engaged flat against a wall surface. The device is especially meant for supporting extruded aluminum picture frames.

Barnes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,139, discloses a wall article hanging device including a metal plate having one or more prongs angled from a surface thereof for angled penetration into a wall surface such as gypsum board or sheet rock. The metal plate is flushly and rigidly attached to a rear surface of a wall article such as a picture frame using one or more prongs in opposed relationship to the wall attaching prongs.

Barnes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,629, discloses a wall article hanging device including a metal plate having one or more prongs angled from a surface thereof for angled penetration into a wall surface such as gypsum board or sheet rock. The metal plate is flushly and rigidly attached to a rear surface of a wall article such as a picture frame using one or more prongs in opposed relationship to the wall attaching prongs.

Leif, U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,827, discloses a self-hanging picture frame which is formed with a blind bore into which a pin, nail or other fastening element may be adjustably fitted. The bore is angled to the flat back surface of the picture frame. The bore is filled with self setting plastic material to lock the fastening element in place.

Einhorn, U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,516, discloses a method of forming a push pin article which includes forming a base member having two opposite sides with a hole therethrough, inserting a pin through such hole, and flowing material into such hole to fill such hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a securing device for attachment to a display frame. Such securing device includes a support member having a first side and a second side. Such support member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A first securing means is disposed at least one of on such first side of such support member and through such support member for releasably securing such support member to such display frame at a predetermined location. A second securing means is at least one of secured to and formed integrally with such second side of such support member for releasably securing such display frame to at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

According to another embodiment, in combination with a display frame, the improvement comprising a securing means operably connectable to such display frame. Such securing means including at least one insertion member for inserting into at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a securing device which can be easily attached to a display frame such that such display frame is releasably attachable to corkboard, gypsum board, bulletin boards, fabric covered walls, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a securing device for attachment to a frame such as those used to display and protect pictures, certificates, diplomas, artwork, memorabilia, and the like, such securing device being implemented by attachment to such frame and then by simply inserting prongs attached to such securing device into corkboard, gypsum board, bulletin boards, fabric covered walls, and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a securing device particularly well suited for attachment to a display frame which is meant to be hung on cubicle type walls; such securing device providing prongs by which such display frame may be hung.

Yet another object of the present invention is provide in combination with a display frame, the improvement comprising a securing means at least one of operably connectable and formed integrally with such display frame which may be utilized to secure such display frame to corkboard, gypsum board, bulletin boards, fabric covered walls, and the like.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device is depicted with prong type insertion members.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device is depicted with pin type insertion members.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective side view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device includes a prong type insertion member and has been attached to a display frame.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device is depicted with prong type insertion members.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device has been attached to a display frame.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention taken along the lines VII-VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the device is depicted with pin type insertion members attached to a display frame.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention taken along the lines of IX-IX of FIG. 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-9.

Referencing more particularly FIGS. 1-4, a securing device, generally designated 10, for attachment to a display frame 12 is provided. It is meant that such display frame 12 is the type of display frame for displaying at least one of a picture, a photograph, an item of artwork, a document, a diploma, a certificate, a drawing, a painting, a sketch, an embroidered article, a poster, and a combination thereof. However, such display frame 12 may be for displaying any type of article which a user may desire.

Such securing device 10 includes a support member 14 having a first side 16 and a second side 18. Such support member 14 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.

It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal and wood. It is presently most preferred that such first predetermined material is plastic.

It is presently preferred that such support member 14 is substantially flat.

A first securing means 22 is disposed at least one of on such first side 16 of such support member 14 and through such support member 14 for releasably securing such support member 14 to such display frame 12 at a predetermined location.

It is presently preferred that such first securing means 22 is at least one of an adhesive type securing means, a screw type securing means, and a nail type securing means. It is presently most preferred that such first securing means 22 is an adhesive type securing means 24.

A second securing means 26 at least one of secured to and formed integrally with such second side 18 of such support member 14 for releasably securing such display frame 12 to at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that such second securing means 26 includes at least one of a prong type securing means 28 and a pin type securing means 32.

It is presently most preferred that such second securing means 26 is a prong type securing means 28. It is presently preferred that such prong type securing means 28 includes at least one flexible prong. It is meant that such at least one flexible prong may be able to be bent in a direction desired by a user to facilitate inserting such prongs into at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such that such display frame 12 is secured thereto.

It is presently preferred that such second securing means 26 includes a plurality of prongs 34 each having a first end 36 and a second end 38, such first ends 36 including sharpened tips 42, such plurality of prongs 34 being secured to such support member 14 at such second ends 38 thereof such that each of such sharpened tips 42 point at least one of downwards, sideways, outwards, and a combination thereof such that when such sharpened tips 42 are inserted into such at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such display frame 12 is secured thereto.

It is presently preferred that such plurality of prongs 34 are disposed on such support member 14 in pairs. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, more than one of such securing device 10 may be utilized with each display frame 12 if desired.

According to another embodiment, referenced more particularly in FIGS. 5-9, in combination with a display frame 12, the improvement comprising a securing means, generally designated 50, is operably connectable to a display frame 12. It is contemplated that such securing means 50 may be integrally formed with such display frame 12 if desired.

Such securing means 50 including at least one insertion member 52 for inserting into at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that such at least one insertion member 52 includes at least one of at least one prong type member 54 and at least one pin type member 56. It is presently most preferred that such at least one insertion member 52 includes at least one prong type member 54.

It is presently preferred that such least at least one prong type member 54 includes at least one flexible prong. It is meant that such at least one prong may be able to be bent in a direction desired by a user to facilitate inserting them into at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such that such display frame 12 is secured thereto.

It is presently preferred that such at least one insertion member 52 includes a plurality of prong type members 54 each having a first end 56 and a second end 58, such first ends 56 including sharpened tips 62, such plurality of prong type members 54 being secured to at least one of such securing means 50 and such display frame 12 at such second ends 58 thereof such that each of such sharpened tips 62 point at least one of downwards, sideways, outwards, and a combination thereof such that when such sharpened tips 62 are inserted into such at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such display frame 12 is secured thereto.

It is presently preferred that such plurality of prong type members 54 are disposed on at least one of such securing means 50 and such display frame 12 in pairs.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A securing device for attachment to a display frame comprising: a. a support member having a first side and a second side, said support member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; b. a first securing means disposed at least one of on said first side of said support member and through said support member for releasably securing said support member to such display frame at a predetermined location; and c. a second securing means at least one of secured to and formed integrally with said second side of said support member for releasably securing such display frame to at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.
 2. A securing device according to claim 1 wherein said second securing means includes at least one of a prong type securing means and a pin type securing means.
 3. A securing device according to claim 2 wherein said second securing means is a prong type securing means.
 4. A securing device according to claim 3 wherein said prong type securing means includes a plurality of prongs each having a first end and a second end, said first ends including sharpened tips, said plurality of prongs being secured to said support member at said second ends thereof such that each of said sharpened tips point at least one of downwards, sideways, outwards, and a combination thereof such that when said sharpened tips are inserted into such at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such display frame is secured thereto.
 5. A securing device according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of prongs are disposed on said support member in pairs.
 6. A securing device according to claim 3 wherein said prong type securing means includes at least one flexible prong.
 7. A securing device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal and wood.
 8. A securing device according to claim 7 wherein said first predetermined material is plastic.
 9. A securing device according to claim 1 wherein said support member is substantially flat.
 10. A securing device according to claim 1 wherein said first securing means is at least one of an adhesive type securing means, a screw type securing means, and a nail type securing means.
 11. A securing device according to claim 10 wherein said first securing means is an adhesive type securing means.
 12. In combination with a display frame the improvement comprising a securing means operably connectable to said display frame, said securing means including at least one insertion member for inserting into at least one of a corkboard, a gypsum board, a fabric covered wall, a cubicle wall, a bulletin board, a cardboard wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.
 13. The improvement according to claim 12 wherein said at least one insertion member includes at least one of at least one prong type member and at least one pin type member.
 14. The improvement according to claim 13 wherein said at least one insertion member includes at least one prong type member.
 15. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said at least one insertion member includes a plurality of prong type members each having a first end and a second end, said first ends including sharpened tips, said plurality of prong type members being secured to at least one of said securing means and said display frame at said second ends thereof such that each of said sharpened tips point at least one of downwards, sideways, outwards, and a combination thereof such that when said sharpened tips are inserted into such at least one of such corkboard, such gypsum board, such fabric covered wall, such cubicle wall, such bulletin board, such cardboard wall, such vertical structure and such combination thereof such display frame is secured thereto.
 16. The improvement according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of prong type members are disposed on said display frame in pairs.
 17. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said at least one prong type member includes at least one flexible prong. 